Jeff Fisher Discusses Firing, Extension, Jared Goff
It’s been less than a week since Jeff Fisher was fired as the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams. Since then, we’ve heard plenty of rumors regarding potential replacements, but we haven’t heard anything from Fisher himself.
Until today. The long-time coach sat down with Fox Sports’ Charissa Thompson to discuss the firing, his two-year extension with the franchise, and the selection of rookie quarterback Jared Goff during this past year’s draft. We’ve compiled all of those quotes below:
On why he was ultimately fired:
“Bottom line is I didn’t win. I didn’t win enough games. In a new market, that’s important and I’ll take responsibility for that.”
On whether he was surprised by the firing:
“I had just recently signed an extension. I knew things were getting tough, I knew that, but I didn’t anticipate this. I always thought, depending on what happens the last three weeks, that there may be that potential with the season being over, but I was a little caught off guard with the short week.”
On that two-year extension, which was reported in early December despite being signed during the offseason:
“It was never my place to announce the extension, so somehow it got out. So then that became an issue. None of it was handled appropriately in my opinion. In this day and age, the successful teams in the National Football League are tight-knit, they work together, and they stay quiet. They don’t leak things. That was a frustration of mine.”
On whether the draft choice of Jared Goff was his own:
“Yes. It was our choice. It was unanimous. We went up [in the draft] to be in position to get that quarterback that we needed.”
On why the team waited until late November to start the rookie:
“We did not want to rush Jared. I made the decision prior to the Jet game, in which we won, to go ahead and start Jared the next week. He’s an outstanding young man and he’ll be the face of this franchise.”
On the Rams’ offensive woes:
“I have to take responsibility from the coaching side in that we just didn’t get it done, bottom line. When you’re 32nd in the league in offense every year, there’s an issue.”
On what he ultimately wants going forward:
“I want a chance to play the Rams.”
Rams HC Vacancy To Attract Big-Name Candidates?
The Rams might not need to look too hard for a new head coach, as one report suggests that several worthy candidates will willingly take the gig. Jay Glazer of FOXSports claims that several high-profile active NFL coaches will pursue the open position in Los Angeles (via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com). As Florio writes, these coaches would be attracted by “the size of the market, the sizzle of L.A., and the potential to win with players like Jared Goff, Todd Gurley, and Tavon Austin on the roster — along with a potent defense led by Aaron Donald.”
Florio notes that it wouldn’t be particularly hard for the Rams to steal a head coach from another franchise, especially if that coach wants out of his current situation and the organization is willing to let him go. Florio also points out that the Rams may not have much interest in a head coach who also “envisions running the show or otherwise supplanting the folks who currently run the football operations.”
Unfortunately, Glazer doesn’t mention any specific names, although we could surely eliminate some candidates from the list. Reports indicated that the organization would pursue Pete Carroll, but the Seahawks head coach denied that he’d have interest in the opening. We heard rumblings earlier today that the Rams could also pursue former NFL coach Jon Gruden. A recent report suggested that the Rams would be pursuing an “offensive-minded head coach.”
Our own Zach Links recently listed his top-10 candidates for the Rams head coaching gig. University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was atop that list, as was Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Other names included Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, Stanford head coach David Shaw, Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, and Redskins offensive coordinator Sean McVay.
The Rams fired Jeff Fisher last week following a 4-9 start to the season. Special teams coordinator John Fassel is currently serving as the team’s interim head coach.
Latest On Jon Gruden, Rams Coaching Vacancy
Though he’s been out of the NFL since 2008, Jon Gruden could “entertain” the notion of accepting the Rams’ head coaching position, some of Gruden’s former colleagues told Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
[RELATED: Rams Searching For Offensive HC]
Several factors could influence Gruden’s willingness to listen to a pitch from the Rams, not least of which is the Los Angeles market and the pocketbook of owner Stan Kroenke, who is likely open to paying Gruden whatever he demands. Additionally, the Rams have talented players on both sides of the ball in the forms of running back Todd Gurley and defensive tackle Aaron Donald, as well as a young quarterback in Jared Goff, whom Gruden has expressed fondness for in the past.
Gruden also has a relationship with Rams COO Kevin Demoff, who was hired to Tampa Bay’s front office when Gruden was the Buccaneers’ head coach, according to Tom Peliserro of USA Today. That familiarity could help lure Gruden to Los Angeles, as could the fact that the Rams don’t intend to make a decision on general manager Les Snead until a new coach is hired, per Peliserro. If Gruden wants to bring in his own personnel executive, he’d likely be allowed to do so.
Gruden, who is still only 52 years old, signed an extension with ESPN in 2014 that keeps him under contract through the 2021 season. However, that deal shouldn’t preclude from exploring NFL opportunities.
Jeff Fisher Reacts To Firing
Suspended Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith is “mad and frustrated” about the way his reinstatement bid has stalled, Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle writes. Smith applied for a return in October, just under a year after the league handed him a one-year ban for a substance abuse violation. That year has since passed, but there’s still no word on Smith’s future. “He is losing hope,” Smith’s personal trainer, Steve Fotion, told Tafur. “They are jerking him around, telling him they’ll have an answer for him on Monday. And then nothing. It seems unprofessional.” Smith has “been randomly drug-tested and they have all come back clean,” Fotion added. The 27-year-old pass rusher met with commissioner Roger Goodell last Friday. Goodell acknowledged that meeting earlier this week, though he didn’t offer details on when he’ll decide Smith’s fate.
More on the Silver and Black and a couple other franchises:
- There was a report earlier this week pointing to disharmony between Raiders owner Mark Davis and Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, but team officials had a productive meeting with Adelson at his office Thursday. “Both are working very hard to finalize a deal,” tweeted Clark County (Nev.) Commission Chairman Steve Sisolak, who was also in attendance. Further, Sisolak dismissed the idea that Davis and Adelson don’t get along, writes Richard N. Velotta of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The Raiders remain focused on Vegas relocation, which the league could vote on in March, and don’t regard the city of Oakland’s $1.3 billion stadium plan as economically viable.
- Former Rams head coach Jeff Fisher doesn’t believe the team ever intended to keep him in place for its 2019 move to a new stadium in Inglewood, he told FOX Sports’ Charissa Thompson (via Marc Sessler of NFL.com). “He didn’t win enough games, and the organization has a much bigger picture,” Fisher said on why the Rams fired him Monday. “And I don’t think I was ever part of seeing the new stadium.” Had the Rams experienced more success under Fisher, perhaps he could have been at the helm when they shifted to their new facility. The club went just 31-45-1 with Fisher, though, and its 4-8 start this year was enough for owner Stan Kroenke to go in another direction.
- The Broncos worked out punter A.J. Hughes on Thursday, Troy Renck of Denver7 tweets. Notably, the team already has a capable option in Riley Dixon, who ranks seventh in the league in net yards per punt (41.2) and 11th in punts inside the 20 (twenty-two). As of earlier this month, his net average was the highest ever for a rookie, per Broncos vice president of public relations Patrick Smyth (Twitter link).
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Rams Searching For Offensive-Minded HC
The Rams will begin their hunt for a new head coach on Friday, and the club’s decision-makers prefer to hire a coach with experience on the offensive side of the ball, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. However, Los Angeles isn’t completely against hiring a coach with a defensive background.
[RELATED: Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart]
Following the Rams’ firing of Jeff Fisher, PFR’s Zach Links examined the top potential candidates for the Los Angeles job, and several offensive coaches made the list. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels — who has indicated that he’s interested in pursuing a head coaching position again — is sure to be linked to the vacancy, and fits the club’s criteria given his experience with Tom Brady and the rest of the New England offense. Stanford head coach David Shaw, Falcons OC Kyle Shanahan, Lions OC Jim Bob Cooter, and Redskins OC Sean McVay are among the other possible suitors for the Rams opening that have coached offense.
The Rams’ “wide-ranging” search is expected to begin on Friday, per Florio, while Los Angeles COO Kevin Demoff said earlier this week that the club would like to have a new hire in place by mid-January.
Rams Place Robert Quinn On IR
The Rams have placed running back Benny Cunningham and defensive end Robert Quinn on injured reserve, the team announced today. In related news, the team has promoted offensive lineman David Arkin and defensive end Morgan Fox to the 53-man roster. 
[RELATED: 10 Coaching Candidates For The Rams]
Quinn has missed the last two games with a concussion and he’ll have to wait before he can take the field in the post-Jeff Fisher era. After missing time with other injuries this year, Quinn’s 2016 season ends with an efficient four sacks in just nine games. After missing half of the 2015 season, Quinn hopes to come back strong and healthy in the New Year. When he’s on the field and playing at 100%, Quinn is one of the most intimidating young edge defenders in the league.
Quinn showed his true potential in 2013 when he earned First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors as he tallied 19 sacks. He also received a tremendous 98.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. He came back down to earth a bit in 2014, but he still racked up 10.5 sacks on his way to yet another Pro Bowl selection.
Without Cunningham, the Rams are left with three running backs on the roster: Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, and Chase Reynolds.
Opinion: Fisher Didn't Bring Best To Rams
- The style of football that Jeff Fisher was known for – tough defensive teams with strong running games on offense – never made its way to the Rams, Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch writes. Known as the master of the 7-9 season, the Rams slumped into mediocrity and worse after a solid start to the year. Ultimately, after going 31-45-1 in nearly five seasons, the Rams decided to kick Fisher to the curb.
Les Snead's Fate Could Depend On HC Hire
- Indications are that the Rams would like to retain general manager Les Snead, but that could depend on whom the team hires as its next head coach, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com. Snead is helping chief operating officer Kevin Demoff in the Rams’ search for a successor to the fired Jeff Fisher, though Demoff didn’t give the GM a public vote of confidence Monday. “It would be a mistake right now to say we’re satisfied with where we’re at on a personnel side and to ensure that Les would be back,” declared Demoff. “I think Les would be the first person to stand up here and say the same thing.”
10 Coaching Candidates For The Rams
In an iconic scene from season nine of The Simpsons, Krusty the Klown announced his retirement to a scrum of not-so-stunned reporters. 
“But Krusty,” one reporter asks. “Why now? Why not twenty years ago?”
It wouldn’t have been out of place for any Rams beat reporter to channel that sentiment and ask a similar question of COO Kevin Demoff when he addressed the media on Monday. Jeff Fisher‘s dismissal was long overdue and you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone outside of the coach’s family who disagrees.
For now, the Rams will turn things over to special teams coordinator John Fassel on an interim basis. While this is ostensibly a chance for Fassel to impress team brass and land the head coaching job for 2017, most are expecting the Rams to hire a name brand coach that will energize the fan base and give the team some additional panache in free agency.
With a few weeks to go between now and the official end of the Rams’ season, here are ten names that could be considered for the job:
Jim Harbaugh, head coach at the University of Michigan: Some say that living well is the best revenge. Others say that the best revenge against your former employer is setting up shop across the street and destroying them. Santa Clara-to-Los Angeles is a lengthy drive, but you get what we’re getting at.
Harbaugh, in theory, could leave his alma mater and crush the 49ers by joining up with a divisional rival. The Rams have reportedly been loafing in practice and Harbaugh is the kind of throwback disciplinarian that the team badly needs. It’s fair to assume that the Rams will get in contact with Harbaugh, but it will be tough to get him to leave his lucrative job in Ann Arbor.
With National Signing Day around the corner, Harbaugh could publicly remove himself himself from consideration if he is not at all interested in an NFL return. Alternatively, if Harbaugh wants to get sweet revenge against the Niners, Stan Kroenke better have his checkbook ready. Signing Harbaugh could cost upwards of $10MM/year and that’s before factoring in his buyout clause with the Wolverines. If Harbaugh bolts, he’ll owe U-M the prorated portion of his $2MM signing bonus. With two of the seven years served, 5/7ths of that amount comes out to roughly $1.43MM.
Click here to read more from Zach Links..
Latest On Rams’ Head Coaching Vacancy
Despite recently announcing an extension for Jeff Fisher, the Rams fired their head coach on Monday, installing special teams coach John Fassel as the interim coach for the remainder of the season. The Los Angeles job should be an attractive opening for the latest round of head coaching candidates, and earlier today PFR’s Zach Links examined some of the potential contenders for the opening, listing names such as Jim Harbaugh, Jim Bob Cooter, and David Shaw, among others.
Let’s take a look at some of the fallout, reaction, and speculation regarding the league’s newest head coaching vacancy…
- Calling the circumstances surrounding Fisher’s firing an “organizational failure,” Rams COO Kevin Demoff emphasized that the Rams’ entire decision-making structure will come under scrutiny in the coming weeks, meaning general manager Les Snead could also be in danger of losing his job. “Starting today we’ll have a complete review of the entire organization. We’ll analyze [the front office],” Demoff said, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Snead, like Fisher, recently inked a contract extension, but that shouldn’t stop Los Angeles from cleaning house.
- The Rams job will be among the most coveted head coaching slots in the league, and many offensive minds are already interested in the opening, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (TwitLonger link) and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (video link). Both scribes identify several factors — a young quarterback and running back, patient ownership, a blank slate, the Los Angles market — that will likely persuade coaches to quickly hand in their résumés.
- While the club does have stars on both sides of the ball in the forms of Todd Gurley and Aaron Donald, reinforcements have been an issue during the Fisher/Snead regime, and Rams coaches had been openly voicing concerns about the lack of depth on the roster, reports Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com. That problem might not be alleviated any time soon, especially given that Los Angeles sacrificed a haul of draft picks to move up and draft Jared Goff.
- While Harbaugh’s name has been tossed out as a candidate for the Rams position, the Michigan head coach doesn’t sound as if he’s ready to make the leap back to the NFL. Harbaugh told his Wolverine players that recent rumors about his leaving Ann Arbor are “lies made up by our enemies,” tweets Dan Murphy of ESPN.com. Meanwhile, a source tells Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report (Twitter link) that Harbaugh isn’t leaving Michigan right now, and in fact may never leave the Maize and Blue.
- Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is also thought to be a possible suitor for Los Angeles, but the New England play-caller isn’t biting on any attempts to link him to the job. “My focus and my attention is gonna stay right here in the building” McDaniels told reporters, including Phil Perry of CSNNE.com (Twitter link), today.
- Whomever the Rams tap as their next head coach, he should be in place in the next month or so, as Demoff told Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com that LA would “ideally” like to hire a coach by mid-January.